Member Reviews
With their wedding day fast approaching, our bride- and groom-to-be stumble across a dead body in the middle of their venue. Will they be able to solve the growing collection of inter-related crimes and still make it to the altar on time? Or will it be lights out for their Happily Ever After? I loved how this book showed Carrie and Dylan as more of a team than we’ve ever seen them before. They each have their strengths and areas of expertise, and they’ve learned to trust one another to get the job done. Nearly everything about this story took me by surprise. I didn’t have the villain identified before the big reveal, and I hadn’t predicted any of the big surprises that were discovered. Now that we’ve gotten these two down the aisle, I have no guesses as to what the author has in store for them next.
I received a complimentary advance copy of this book through NetGalley.
Librarian Carrie Singleton wants nothing to go wrong with her upcoming wedding to Dylan Avery and is understandably upset when the body of a murder victim is found on the lawn of the house where her wedding will take place. Carrie is determined to let the police solve this case but when it seems to be appeared to a historical diary she found she can’t help but get involved. But will she be able to solve the case before her wedding? And will her sleuthing put her in danger?
“Booked on Murder” is the eighth and final book in Allison Brook’s wonderful Haunted Library Mystery series. I will miss this series – I have loved reading it as Carrie and the other characters have grown and evolved throughout the course of the series. I love the library setting and I especially love that there are ghosts in these books. I wish the series wasn’t ending but I couldn’t have asked for a better ending – Brooks does a wonderful job of mixing the wedding preparations with the murder investigation. The murder mystery is well done – it’s fairly obvious from the beginning who the bad guys are but it is fun to sit back and read as Carrie slowly unravels the clues. The part where all is revealed is well done with just the right amount of tension – I was eagerly swiping the pages on my Kindle to see what happened next. As for the very ending of the book – it is perfect, tying things up nicely, with glimpses into Carrie and Dylan’s future. Very well done!
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley.
I loved these characters and will miss them very much. I found them interesting and the mysteries always kept me guessing. The characters progressed in their lives which is always nice.
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Knowing this was the last book didn’t really affect me until the end which I was super thankful the author drew out like she did knowing fans would need tons of closure and a way to say goodbye to some amazing favorite characters. I’m getting leaky eyeballs again just writing the review. She did an absolute stellar job of closing out what had become one of my all-time favorite series.
Although I’m sure the characters had their own ideas of how they were gonna spend this last book, so in true Carrie fashion our sleuth found herself taking on something dangerous when it was just hours before her wedding. But her man was right there with her too—Dylan is so perfect for her!
I loved the old house they bought and how special it was too! There was just everything to love and give final hugs to in this book, but do yourself a favor by savoring the first seven books before reading this. There weren’t spoilers but there’s just a vibe you need when you read the last in a series, imho anyway.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of his book provided by Crooked Lane via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.
I was surprised to discover that this eighth book in the series is also the last! I understand that a wedding is a good place to finish - but what about those two little ghosts who have just been introduced and now we will never get to know them. Not fair Ms. Brook.
Nevertheless it was a good finale. A murder at the wedding venue sends Carrie into a frantic search to find the killer before her special day. All our favourite characters appear at some point and I will miss them all especially Evelyn and Smoky Joe.
There is a lot of action and drama but the book and the series concludes with a romantic wedding. I will miss this series.
A great addition to an incredible series! Wonderful characters in an incredible setting. This book will keep you guessing until the end.
In the two weeks leading up to Carrie and Dylan’s wedding, multiple people die and history causes an uproar in the village. I enjoyed reading Booked on Murder. Secrets come to light and love wins the day.
This is the last book in the Haunted Library Mystery series. I have liked every book and am sad to see it end. I think you could read this book as a stand-alone, but I don’t think you can appreciate the depth in this book without having read the series in order.
Evelyn, the ghostly librarian, is joined by new ghosts, which brings a fun element to Booked on Murder.
Give Booked on Murder a chance. I think you’ll like it.
Thanks to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read this book.
This series never fails to delight and entertain! The personal lives of the characters are so engaging that they draw you into their homes and make you want to root for them, then you have the mysteries that they end up solving. I love that Carrie, the main character is a hardworking, intelligent, community minded, caring person with wit and charm that make you want to sleuth beside her! You also get a first-hand look at her life, both working and personal. This mystery was very well crafted with multiple suspects and just enough red herrings to keep you turning pages well past the time you intend to set the book down and do something else. LOL, but then this series does seem to do that to you! Add in the whimsey of the library ghost and a few other ghosts that pop up here and there and you have a fun, intriguing mystery to entertain your afternoon, evening or even night away with!
I was very sad to read, at the end of this book, that Booked on Murder is the 8th, and final, book in The Haunted Library Mystery series. Especially as this one - in my opinion - is up there with the best of them. Author Allison Brook has created a range of characters which captured my interest, and my heart, all along the way. Evelyn (the library ghost) and Smoky Joe (Carrie's cat as well as the library cat) along with Carrie herself and Dylan, her fiance, among others, grace this book.
There was plenty of action in Booked on Murder as Carrie worked her way toward her wedding, with murders, kidnapping and thievery happening. Carrie was up to her neck in the murder investigation, as well as working in the library and preparing for her wedding. Just as well she had Dylan to support and comfort. But would Carrie discover the killer before her wedding and subsequent honeymoon?
I highly recommend Booked on Murder but suggest starting at the beginning as this is the final book. With thanks to NetGalley & Crooked Lane Books for my digital ARC to read.
Carrie is just days away from her wedding, but work calls again. While organizing storage in the library, Carrie has found an old diary. The author was a healer in the 1600’s who has been convicted as a witch. Carrie is assigned to write a newspaper article about the diary. Unfortunately, while doing a walkthrough of their wedding venue, they discover a dead body. The person is unknown to them but not to the police. Recently released from jail, the man was convicted of a bank robbery. As the wedding tasks get finished, Carrie is drawn into the diary and the murder. Will Carrie make it through this search safely and will the wedding happen on time? Loved this book.
Carrie Singleton moved to Clover Ridge and got a job in the library. She would take her loving kitty, Smoky Joe, with her to work. She also loved solving a mystery and would help the police department solve crimes. In this case, it was murder, robbery and the stealing of an historical diary from the 1600's. When she moved there she found a nice little cottage, where she lived with her fiancée, Dylan Avery.
The diary was written by Verity Babcock who was hung for being a witch, and that was not the case. Many people were hung in the 1600 for being a witch and they were not. I love reading history and this was both history and mystery all in one. The crime of robbery and murder involved men who stole money. Upon getting out of prison they wanted to find the hidden money, but as a result murder had taken place. Right before Carrie and Dylan were to be married they were helping a young man involved in the robbery. His brother asked them for help. It was so scary, as they decided to get totally involved the morning of their wedding. Carrie was saved and her and Dylan's wedding took place that evening. What a special wedding.
As for the diary, it was stolen from the library. It was donated by an unknown person. Two people in the town claimed the diary belonged to them, as on said was related to the writer of the diary. The other related to someone who was killed by this witches healing herbs. I love history of this era and then there was a mystery to the story. I had a very hard time putting the book down each night.
Thank you Allison Brook for a wonderful read, and I look forward the reading the rest of the series "A haunted library mystery". To NetGalley and Crook Lane Books thank you for allowing me the opportunity for reading this before publishing.
Carrie and Dylan are finally getting married in this latest installment of the haunted library series. Carrie has certainly come a long way in these nine books. Even though she’s busy with the wedding, she can’t help but help someone in need. Which leads to a wild whirlwind of a wedding day. I always enjoy the mystery aspect of these books, and this one didn’t disappoint. I can’t wait to see what craziness they get into next.
My favorite part of these is always the mystery. The ending felt too long. There were a few chapters focused on the wedding, and the day after that felt unnecessary to me. But it’s not something that will make me stop reading the series.
Carrie and Dylan are about to get married at Victor's home. While checking out the venue they discover a body, a man who served time as a bank robber. While Carrie has plenty to keep her busy, she gets drawn into this case that has plenty of twists. A good story and a fitting farewell to these characters. I loved every minute of reading this book and am happy to imagine more adventures for Carrie and Dylan in the future. So sad to have the series end, but look forward to what other stories this author has to share.
Carrie and Dylan just want to get married-at long last. But noooooo- first they have to solve the mystery of the man murdered on the lawn of the property where they're meant to have the reception. Fans of the series will be sad to know that this is the last, that Carrie and Dylan's story is ending. That said, it will also be a fine standalone. Carrie's still talking to ghosts (love this aspect) who help her with her cases. This is a little different from the usual cozy as it centers around a bank robbery years earlier and it's nicely twisty. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. A good read and now I'm looking forward to whatever Brook writes next.
The Haunted Library Mystery series began back in 2017 and I have read most of these cozy mysteries. Carrie Singleton is over activities at a public library in Clover Ridge, Connecticut. She has a knack for stumbling upon dead bodies and helping the police solve the case. She is helped by being able to see and interact with a ghost of an older librarian. The ghost can’t tell her supernatural things but she is a great source of past information on the town and community. Carrie is the kind of person that is easy to talk to and people come to her often to share information. She isn’t always out asking investigative questions. Through the course of the books she has met and gotten engaged to Dylan who is a private investigator.
In this eighth adventure the couple come upon a dead body while looking at the yard of the estate that will be their wedding venue. The deceased is a bank robber who served time, but the money was never located. Another part of the plot involves a historical journal of a woman who was convicted of being a witch centuries before. The mysteries are straight forward, with Carrie doing a bit of sleuthing. She and Dylan purchase a historic house that comes with a pair of young sister ghosts too. The book concludes with the couples' lovely wedding. I thought the changes were setting up more mysteries to come so was surprised the author says this is the final in this series. I guess I will be content with their HEA and look for what the author writes next.
Carrie and Dylan are tying th know. As they visit the venue to finalize details for their wedding (which is the home of their good friend Victor) they stumble acroww a dead body. The victim is a young man just out of prison where he served time for a robbery. Could the murder have been on of his cohorts or was it someone else. At the same time, Carrie is introduced to a society that tries to right wrongs and help women in need. Their current project is to pardon the womeon and men accused of witchcraft and were killed during puritan times in their community. Carrie is trying to learn more about these people using a diary found in the library archive of Verity, a women accused of withcraft. Two mysteries at the same time. When the learder of the society is found dead, is it a rival who insists Verity was a witch or was it someone else.
Fun cozy. It is entertaining and a fun escape. The characters are likeable and the story kept me turning the pages.
Paranormal Literary Cozy Mystery following a Connecticut librarian, who can see and hear ghosts, as she turns sleuth to investigate the murder of a bank robber found at her wedding venue.
4/5 stars: This is the eighth and final entry in Brook's Haunted Library Mysteries series, it's a Paranormal Literary Cozy Mystery that takes place in Connecticut and features a librarian who can see and hear ghosts. Brook has masterfully crafted a mystery that deftly balances the suspects, clues and red herrings and will leave you pondering the whodunit until the final reveal. The paranormal elements are minimal but add a nice touch. Carrie regularly “talks” to Evelyn, the library's ghost, whom I love, and is introduced to several new spirits. Additionally, Brook's writing and character work are stellar; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining incredibly likable. It's so much fun to catch up with Carrie, her family and friends and the folks of the library staff. And of course one mustn't forget about Carrie's rescue and everyone's favorite library cat, Smoky Joe. Additionally, it's a joy to see Carrie and Dylan finally tie the knot. While you could read this as a stand-alone, you'll gain so much more by reading the series from the beginning; so be sure to pick up book one, Death Overdue.
I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.
Carrie Singleton is a librarian who can see ghosts and helps solve murders in the town of Clover Ridge, Ct. The library has recently found a diary of woman who was burned as a witch in the 16oos. Carrie is asked to write an article for the local newspaper about the diary and is significance to local history. Oh, and by the way, she is trying to tie up wedding details for her big day. Carrie and her fiancé, Dylan, find a body in the yard of their wedding venue. It turns out to be Billy Carpenter, an ex-con who has recently been released from prison. He robbed a bank, but the money was never recovered. He had two accomplices, did they do him in trying to find the loot? Can Carrie solve the mystery in time to say I do? Well, you will have to read it to find out!
This is a gem of a mystery. There was lot going on with the missing loot from the bank robbery, the diary, secret societies, and a movement to right historical wrong. This will keep you turning pages until you finish.
This is the final book of the series. I appreciate how the author tied everything up and gave the series a wonderfully satisfying ending!
Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the chance to read this story.
Will miss this series. Carrie Singleton is an engaging character -- as a librarian I really enjoyed the setting. The family ties led to some intriguing experiences, and great connections.
What a great ending to a wonderful series. I’m a little sad cause I will miss the characters I have grown to love. I recommend you start at the beginning of the series if you haven’t already. That way you really get to know and enjoy these wonderful folks. How fun would it be to have an Evelyn in your life? I received this book from NetGalley, but my opinion is my own.